Sand pump and attachment therefor



g- 1939-v G. w. MILLER 2,170,568

SAND PUMP AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR Filed Aug. 25, 1957 may. 1.

INVENTOR W. Mil/en B ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to sand pumps adapted for use in removing sand and like debris from wells during well drilling operations and more particularly to an improved head for a pump or the like which facilitates application of the pump to a sand line or the like for raising and lowering the pump out of and into operative position relative to the well formation to be acted upon.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide an improved head for a sand pump or the like which may be readily and securely attached to a sand line or the like and which may be easily and quickly removed therefrom when it is desired to change overfrom the sand pump to "cleaning out tools, for example, and vice versa.

Other important objects of the present invention are to provide an improved sand line socket in the pump head; to provide an improved closure for the head for excluding debris from the working parts of the pump; to provide an improved closure for the sand line socket for retaining the line in the socket; and to provide a novel'locking means for the pump head closure.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the-present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing,

wherein: v v

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the lower portion of a well. in which is shown a sand pump having a head embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper end of the sand pump, particularly illustrating the improved head with the parts thereof in assembled condition.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the improved head of the sand pump illustrating the parts thereof in disassembled spaced relation.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross section through the line attaching end of the pump head on the line 4-4, Fig. 1. g

Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross section on the line 5-5, Fig. 1, particularly illustrating the socket connection of the sand line with the piston stem socket of the pump.

Fig. 6 is a disassembled perspective view of a rope socket showing the end of the line provided with a mandrel adapted to be held in place by an insert cover that closes the socket.

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

The present invention generally consists of a pump I having a head 2 to which a'sand line 3 or the like is attached for raising and/or lowerthe insert, resting on the shoulder I6.

ing the pump I out of or into an oil pocket or the like 4 at the bottom of a well hole 5 through the casing 6 for the well hole.

The pump I preferably consists of a substantially tubular barrel I having a formation working device such as a bit or the like which is preferably attached to the lower end of the pump I barrel as by the bayonet connection 9, A flap valve I0 is provided in the open lower end of the pump barrel for admitting sand and fluid into the body of the barrel in response to raising of the piston I I in the barrel as in conventional practice.

The piston I I is provided at its upper end with passageways I2 which are controlled relative to the contents of the pump barrel by a check valve I3 in the usual manner.

Mounted on the upper end of the piston I I above the check valve I3 is a reduced extension I4' having a cut-out portion I5 along one side thereof, Fig. 3, to form a. shoulder I6 at the lower end of the cut-out portion. The extension I4 is further provided with a vertically'extending inset socket I'I formed in the extension in upwardly spaced relation to the shoulder. I6, which socket terminates in a downwardly and outwardly extending top wall therefor. A slot I9 is also provided in the extension I4 in substantially vertical alignment with the central portion of the shoulder I6 and socket H to provide angularly extending spacedears 20 which form an overlying latch or the like for the tapered upper end 2! of an insert 22. The insert, 22 is provided with a longitudinal'g'roove 23 on its inner face and with an inwardly and downwardlyextending tongue 24 having a flattened outer face 25. An opening 26 is also provided'in the tongue 24 in. alignment with an opening in the extension I4 adjacent the shoulder I6 whereby a fastening device, such as the screw 21, may be inserted through the openings for attaching the insert to the outer flattened face of the extension, the lower end of The insert is preferably rounded on its outer face to form a continuation of the outer surface of the extension I74.

The socket I'I is'preferab'ly of a 'sizesuitable for receiving apmandrel 29 which ispreferably of cylindrical shape and which is provided with a central bore for receiving the lower end of the sand line 3 in any suitable manner, for example, as by threading the sand line through the mandrel, loosening certain of the threadsof the sand line, and babbitting the ends of the line to the mandrel for securing the line to the mandrel.

Mounted in the upper end of the pump barrel "I is the head 2. The lower end of the head is pressed or otherwise secured in the barrel and is provided with an outwardly flared shoulder 39 in spaced relation to the lower end thereof to form a seat for the head relative to the barrel and for limiting telescoping movement therebetween. The head 2 is preferably of less diameter than the barrel 1 and is provided with an interior bore 3! extending substantially the length thereof which is of a diameter and length for adapting the head to be sleeved over the extension 14. A smaller bore 32 is provided in the head 2 in vertical alignment with the bore 3! which extends upwardly therefrom and which is of a size adapting the head for the reception of the sand line 3 above the socket l1 and mandrel 2| in the extension !4. The head 2 is provided with a side opening 33 of a size sufficiently large to enable an operator of the device to work upon the insert 22 for removing same from the extension and for withdrawing the mandrel-supported sand line 3 from its socket in the head. The head 2 is provided at its upper end and preferably centrally of the opening 33 with a slot 34 extending up wardly from the opening 33 and inwardly to the bore 32 in the head 2, the slot 34 being of a size suificient to pass the sand line 3.

In order to provide a closure for the opening 33 and slot 34 for retaining the sand line within the head 2, I provide an insert 35, which is particularly shown in Fig. 3. The insert 35 consists of a body portion 36 of a size and shape substantially the same as that of the opening 33 in the head for closing same, an upward reduced extension 31 being provided for engaging in the lower head part of the slot 34 in the head, and the insert is further provided with an upwardly extending further reduced member 38 adapted to engage in the upper part of the slot 34 in the shank 39 which extends upwardly from the head 2 and forms a part thereof. Spaced recesses 43 are provided preferably adjacent the upper end of the head 2, and at the sides of the slot 34, which recesses have flattened side faces.- 4| and aligned openings 42 for receiving a fastening device 43 extending therethrough and through an aligned opening 44 in the extension 3'! of the insert for securing the insert to the head. A tongue or other suitable retaining device is also provided on the lower end of the insert 35 for engagement in a recess in the head at the lower end of the opening 33, thereby to further secure the insert relative to the head.

The shank 39, of which the member 38 forms I a part when the insert is mounted in the opening and slot in the head, is provided with threads 45 at the lower end thereof for receiving the interiorly threaded collar 46. The collar 46 is preferably of an outer diameter similar to the outer diameter of the head 2 and is adapted to be threaded on the shank of the head in such a manner that a slot 4'! along one side thereof is normally positioned some place other than in alignment with the slot 34 of the head and the member 38 of the insert; thus, when the pump is being operated in a well, the insert cannot pivot on the pin 43, as it is retained by the collar until it is desired to remove the pump from the sand line.

In assembling a device constructed as described, the piston II is placed in the barrel 7 with its extension 14 extending upwardly and outwardly relative to the barrel. The head 2 is then applied to the barrel by inserting the lower end thereof into the barrel and by sleeving the bore of the head over the extension [4, the opening 33 of the head and the slot 34 thereof being aligned with the socket I! of the extension and the slot IQ of the extension above the socket. The sand line 3 is then provided with the mandrel 29 as above pointed out and the mandrel is placed in the socket I! and the line 3 inserted into the bores of the extension and head by merely inserting the same in the slot provided therefor. The extension insert 22 is then applied over the socket H by inserting the tapered upper end thereof below the downwardly extending ears 20 of the extension and by applying a suitable fastening device to the lower flattened end of the insert and into the aligned opening therefor in the extension. The insert 35 is then applied to the opening 33 of the head and the slot 34 of the shank of the head and a fastening device is extended therethrough and through the aligned openings of the head for pivotally retaining the insert in position in the head.

With a device constructed and assembled as described the operation thereof is as follows:

The pump 1 is lowered by the line 3 into the pocket 4 of the well hole and upon engagement of the bit head thereof with sand or other sediment in the bottom of the hole and upon reciprocationof the pump in the hole, an. agitation is set up which has the effect of picking up the sand or sediment to carry it in solution with the well fluids in such a manner that it will pass through the flap valve ill of the pump barrel in the usual manner and may thereafter be disposed of as desired.

When it is desired toremove the pump and change over from a pump-ing operation to a well cleaning operation or the like, the pump is withdrawn from the well by the sand line. The collar 46 is then turned to align the slot 41 thereof with the upper reduced end of the insert 35 and the fastening device 43 is removed, whereupon the insert 35 may be easily and quickly removed from engagement with the head 2. The insert 22 is then removed from closing engagement with the flattened face of the extensionby removing the fastening device 21 therefrom. The socket I! now being opened, the mandrel 29 may be grasped and withdrawn from the socket to remove the sand line from the head of the pump, whereupon the sand line may be used for any other desired purpose. 7

In Fig. 6, a rope socket 48 is shown, which is adapted to simplify changing over from sand pump to cleaning out tools and vice versa. The socket is provided with a slot 49 in the upper end 53 thereof, which terminates in a recess in the body portion 48 of the socket. The recess fit is adapted to receive a mandrel 52 fixed to a line 53, which may constitute the line 3 and mandrel 29 illustrated, for example, in Fig. 3. An insert 54 is pivoted in the slot '49 of the socket by the pivot pin 55, which is adapted to'cover the recess and slot for maintaining the line in the socket and which is adapted to be easily removed when attaching or detaching the line.

The principal advantages in a device constructed as described and embodying the features of the present invention are that a closure is provided for the head of the pump which precludes entrance of well fluids and sediment or debris falling on the pump, due to cave-ins or the like in the well, from entering the pump and adversely affecting the operation of the pump. The inserts thus provided form a means of quickly and facilely removing the sand linefro-m the pump. The collar for the shank of the head forms an eiiicient lock for retaining the inserts in position but which may be very simply unlocked by merely turning the collar not more than a half-turn on the shank for aligning the slot thereof with the inserts to remove the inserts. t

What I clai and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a sand pump and a sand line therefor, means connecting the pump with the line including a head on the p mp having a longitudinally disposed slot therein terminating in a socket, and a mandrel on the line removably mounted in the socket, the. line beingremovably mounted in the slot.

2. In combination with a sand pump and a sand line therefor, a head on the pump having an opening whereby the line may be inserted for extension through said head, means for closing said Opening for retaining the line in the head, and a collar rotatably mounted on the head normally locking said closing means in position thereon, the collar having a slot alignable with said closing means for removal of the closing means and the line from the pump.

3. In combination with a sand pump and a sand line therefor, means for connecting the pump with the line including a piston in the pump having an extension provided with a socket, means on the line engageable in the socket, means for retaining the line in said socket, a head on the pump having a bore engaged about said extension and having an opening in alignment with said extension socket, whereby the line may be inserted through said head, means for closing said opening for retaining the line in the head, and means mounted on the head for locking said closing means in position thereon, including a collar rotatably mounted on the head and having a slot alignable with the extension socket and head opening whereby said closing means may be removed for withdrawing the line from, supporting engagement with the pump without removing the collar.

4. In combination with a sand pump and a sand line therefor having a mandrel at its lower end, means for connecting the pump with the line including an extension on the pump provided with a socket for receiving said mandrel, a cover for the socket for retaining the mandrel in said socket, a head on the pump engaged about said extension and having an opening in alignment with said socket, whereby the line may be inserted for extension through said head, means for closing said opening for retaining the line in the head, and a collar rotatabl'y mounted on the head normally locking said closing means in position thereon, the collar having a slot alignable with said closing means for removal of the closing means and the line from the head. a

5. An apparatus of the character described including a head member having a bore at one' 7 including ahead member having a bore at one end and an inwardly extending longitudinally disposed slot at its other end terminating in a socket adjacent said. bore, a line engageable ,in said slot having a mandrel at one end thereof removably mounted in said socket and adapted to suspend the head member from the line, and a collar on thehead member normally covering said head member slot and having a slot therein alignable with the head member slot for removal of the line.

'7. An apparatus of the character, described including a head member having a bore at one end and an inwardly extending longitudinally disposed slot at its other end terminating in a socket adjacent said bore, a line engageablein said slot having a mandrel at one end thereof removably mounted in said socket and adapted to suspend the head member from the line, and means removably mounted on the head .member normally retaining the mandrel end of the line within said head member.

8. An apparatus of the character described including a head member having a bore at one end and an inwardly extending longitudinally disposed slot at its other end terminating in a socket adjacent said bore, a pump barrel depending from the head member, a piston member, an extension on the piston member mounted in the head member bore, said extension of the piston member having an inwardly extending longitudinally disposed slot terminating in a socket, and a line engageable in said slots having a mandrel at one end thereof removably mounted in the piston member extension socket adapted to suspend the piston and head members from the line.

9. An apparatus of the character described including a head member having a bore at one end and an inwardly extending longitudinally disposed slot at its other end terminating in a socket adjacent said bore, a pump barrel depending from the head member, a piston member, one end of the piston member being mounted in the head member bore, said end of the piston member having an inwardly extending longitudinally disposed slot terminating in a socket, a line engageable in said slots having a mandrel at one end thereof removably mounted in the piston member socket adapted to suspend the piston and head members from the line, and a collar on the head member normally covering said head member slot and having a slot therein alignable with the head member slot for removal of the line.

10. An apparatus of the character described including a head memberhaving a bore at one end and an inwardly extending longitudinally disposed slot at its other end terminating in a socket adjacent said bore, a pump barrel depending from the head member, a piston member, one end of the piston member'being mounted in the head member bore, said end of the piston member having an inwardly extending longitudinally disposed slot terminating in a socket, a line engageable in said slots having a mandrel at one end thereof removably mounted in the end and an inwardly extending longitudinallyj disposed slot at its other end terminating in a socket adjacent said bore, a pump barrel depending from the head member, a piston member, one end of the piston member being mounted in the head member bore, said end of the piston member having an inwardly extending longitudinally disposed slot terminating in a socket, a line engageable in said slots having a mandrel at one end thereof removably mounted in the piston member socket adapted to suspend the piston and head members from the line, and means removably mounted on the head -membe1- normally covering the head member socket and slot.

12. An apparatus of the character described including a head member having a bore at one end and an inwardly extending longitudinally disposed slot at its other end terminating in a socket adjacent said bore, a pump barrel depending from the head member, a piston member, one end of the piston member being mounted in the head member bore, said end of the piston member having an inwardly extending longitudinally disposed slot terminating in a socket, a line engageable in said slots having a mandrel at one end thereof removably mounted in the piston member socket adapted to suspend the piston and head members from the line, means removably mounted on the piston member normally covering said piston member socket, means removably mounted on the head member normally covering the head member socket and slot, and a collar on the head member normally covering said head member slot and having a slot therein alignable with the head member slot for removal of the line.

GEORGE W. MILLER. 

